What an honor it was for my brother and I to converse, serve, chant and pray with His Holiness Pope Tawadros II this past weekend! Congratulations to my dear father Mark on his elevation to the rank of hegumen. Abouna, no one deserves this honor and recognition more than you, and we love you dearly! …
Overjoyed and blessed with the opportunity to spend quality time with our holy father His Holiness Pope Tawadros II. We spoke in detail about research in Coptic hymnology and HH listened intently, in great humility and fatherly love. Over dinner, we talked about the Coptic language and it’s pronunciation, dialects and utilization. After closing down …
Thankful for the opportunity to attend the Coptic Canadian History Project Conference and to present on Coptic Hymnology – Diffusion of Egyptian Regional Variance into the Diaspora! Also thankful for my family that came all the way out to support me and turned the weekend into a blessed and memorable one! Not really thankful for …
Do You Want to Be Made Well? Since my mother’s departure in 2010, my family and I have gone through numerous phases of grief. Although the grief resurfaces from time to time and will never fade away completely, something has recently changed on my end: my willingness to move on. I’d like to start by …
This cross is to honor the Alexandrian fathers of Orthodox Church. It is solidarity with my Coptic brethren who are persecuted daily, even to the point of bloodshed. It is eternal memory of my mother who still walks with me on my path towards Christ. May I live to carry your names and preserve your …
Happy Birthday, Mom! Not much has changed. I’m still directing how those around me sing, and I will still kiss your hands, when I get the chance.
The Psalms of David & the Gospel of Jesus Christ The psalms of David and the gospels of the New Testament are cornerstones of the Christian faith. The Orthodox Church considers them an essential part of all liturgical services. The Coptic Orthodox Church, in particular, has an intricate rite for the chanting of the psalms …
For those interested in some information on the Fast of the Advent in the Coptic Church: (The reason I’m writing this is because I’ve received several questions over the past two weeks, some about the fast itself and others about the hymns of the fast. Hopefully this brief summary will answer some questions. Also, to …
Ⲁⲙⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⳾ Come, let us worship • the Holy Trinity, • and venerate • our father, the martyr, • Ⲫⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲥⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ⳾ the saint, Abba Samaan, • the righteous martyr, • the pride of the Coptic …